Writing is good, Count Rostov is certainly entertaining, and the end nicely ties things together - but there just isn't enough happening in this bookWriting is good, Count Rostov is certainly entertaining, and the end nicely ties things together - but there just isn't enough happening in this book to recommend it. I wanted some more action, more insight into the Count's character, a better understanding of Russian history, something. ...more

Early in the book the protagonist, an author, meets with his agent and learns that his latest book has been rejected by his publisher. "Too wistful? TEarly in the book the protagonist, an author, meets with his agent and learns that his latest book has been rejected by his publisher. "Too wistful? Too spoony? Too gay?" the author asks.

The agent replies: "These walk-around-town books, these day-in-the-life stories, I know writers love them. But I think it's hard to feel bad for this Switft fellow of yours. I mean, he has the best life of anyone I know."

The rest of the book then is exactly that. It's a walk-around-town book, it's a guy feeling sad about his poor life when it actually seems pretty good. It's too wistful, too poignant, too gay.

I couldn't figure out what to make of that. Is it signaling that this book is going to be ridiculous and we should laugh at the pure satire of it? Is the author giving us a cautionary warning ("yeah, this may look ridiculous, but don't dismiss as the publisher did because it's actually good")? Is it just the first metaphor of many that are too on the nose? The book was interesting and entertaining enough that I stuck to the end trying to figure that out. I didn't though and wish a bit that I had quite earlier.

In the end, the book is just too too. Symbolism is too direct (a man that worries his life is not all it could be is literally named "Less"), there's too much woe-is-me internal monologue, while at the same time far too much good things happening (lovers effortlessly come to him at nearly every turn), metaphors land too nakedly (examples escape me), language is just too poignant (Less' journey up his home steps has him snagged, blocked, and tripped. Fucking treacherous set of stairs) and the ending is much too pat happy ending.

Or maybe all of that over-the-top was the point. Damned if I know. ...more

A really interesting look at some history I wasn't aware of. Enjoyed reading it and some nice 'holy shit' moments, but I had some qualms with the writA really interesting look at some history I wasn't aware of. Enjoyed reading it and some nice 'holy shit' moments, but I had some qualms with the writing so it's barely a 4. Specifically -

-- Part 1 of the book lays out some murders, but he never talks about motive. He doesn't explain head rights until part 2 of the book. This left me a bit annoyed and skeptical in part 1 that anything was really going. It almost feels that the author withheld information in part 1 so that he could spring a surprise in part 2.

-- One of the murders in part 1 is not discussed at all in part 2. Again, this becomes a plot twist for part 3, but it annoyed me in part 2 that the author completely drops that incident.

-- Part 3, perhaps the most fascinating part to me, gets a somewhat cursory telling. ...more

Hayes takes some of the biggest problems of today and boils them down to a really simple concept. This doesn't feel reductive or simplistic, just realHayes takes some of the biggest problems of today and boils them down to a really simple concept. This doesn't feel reductive or simplistic, just really clear-eyed as to what is going on.

Drawing the parallel between Ferguson/BLM and the American Revolution was a really insightful way to see things. Realizing that police shootings are, at the root, because we have too many fucking guns. ...more

Good, clear explanation of what seems like difficult stuff. Fascinating to think of all we've learned about something so vast and, to a large degree,Good, clear explanation of what seems like difficult stuff. Fascinating to think of all we've learned about something so vast and, to a large degree, un-testable and un-measurable. Maybe more fascinating to learn about all the things we still don't understand - dark matter, dark energy - about the universe.

On a side note, I'm growing tired of the "Tyson is a wacky guy" and the "Whoa, Tyson dropping some deep shit" shtick. He's neither a comedian nor a philospher and should back of those a bit. ...more

The writing in this is amazing: lyrical, atmospheric, evocative. Really enjoyed that...but.

Both Call of Cthulu and Colour Out of Space (the 2 storiesThe writing in this is amazing: lyrical, atmospheric, evocative. Really enjoyed that...but.

Both Call of Cthulu and Colour Out of Space (the 2 stories I was interested in) are told second-hand -- the narrator is re-telling a story that was told to them. That makes the stories feel like nothing has happened. There's no real action and a lot of suspense gets zapped out of the story. The reader is essentially a listener at this point - hearing third hand now about this tale. I wish there had been more immediacy.

Or maybe I'm a product of the modern era who can only be moved by explosions and car chases.

I'm as stoic as the next guy, but the "don't mourn if your wife and children die" is a bit much. I get it, don't worry about that which you don't contI'm as stoic as the next guy, but the "don't mourn if your wife and children die" is a bit much. I get it, don't worry about that which you don't control, but lessons on having less emotion in life is not something I need. Returned without reading much of this. ...more

I good overview I suppose. It's certainly helpful to know that you aren't alone in your feelings or what you're going through, but I never felt the auI good overview I suppose. It's certainly helpful to know that you aren't alone in your feelings or what you're going through, but I never felt the author gave any solid advice on navigating to the other side of this passage. She's kind of illuminated the passage, let you know it's there, but scant advice on transporting your way through it. ...more

Got about halfway through this, really liked the material, but found the writing to be a bit simplistic and the science talk cursory. Then I realizedGot about halfway through this, really liked the material, but found the writing to be a bit simplistic and the science talk cursory. Then I realized I was reading the young readers version of the book. Oops. Returned it, in a long hold queue at the library for the real one.--------------OK, the adult version:

Great book. He's had a fascinating life and some really interesting challenges he's decided to pursue. Couple particularly interesting points:

1) It's interesting to read all the behind the scenes times where any of this could have failed. What if his exit from Zip2/Paypal had gone wrong and he didn't have the money? What if his friends had successfully talked him out of buying a rocket? What if the Russians had sold him one? What if he had sold Telsa to Google?

As he said in his recent TED talk, progress doesn't just happen. It's hard work by a lot of people that make progress happen. Here we can see all the places along the way where this progress might not have happened, where we wouldn't have today what he accomplished.

2) It's just fun to read the people saying what he wants to do (which we know now he accomplished), is impossible.

One thing the book lacks though - is the guy a dick? Yeah, the work schedule and demands are crazy, but they are also accomplishing crazy things. Do the ends justify the means? While the book covers the companies and the Who/What/Where/Why/How, it leaves the emotion/ethics of it all a little untouched. ...more

The characters are entertaining and it's interesting to see what schemes they come up with. Not sure if we're supposed to read in much more than thatThe characters are entertaining and it's interesting to see what schemes they come up with. Not sure if we're supposed to read in much more than that (it's too early for any Vietnam comparisons? Says something about Korean or Cold War? Not sure.) Maybe I'm supposed to take something more from it, but I'm not seeing it.

The cynicism of the book is a little hard to take. The revolution is started by 3 people, 1 of whom isn't really interested in it - but we're supposed to be rooting for them? They put together a fake congress to give the appearance of government, while they still secretly do whatever they want. The fake congress is overturned the instance something important comes up. The Professor throws multiple objections at the Congress' ideas, not as sincere criticism, but just to complicate, obfuscate, and delay anything they do. They decide that provoking an attack on Luna is a means to their end, but no thought or discussion is given to the deaths that will result. They repeatedly hide information from the populace and even each other as it suits their needs. ...more

I liked Chabon's writing, there are some interesting characters, and some interesting situations. In the end though, I wanted more than that. It's notI liked Chabon's writing, there are some interesting characters, and some interesting situations. In the end though, I wanted more than that. It's not as interesting as Cavlier and Clay, not as impactful as Amateur for Manhood, not as unique as Gentleman of the Road. Just something missing that I can't quite put my finger on.

To be fair, there was a allusion to the Tower of Babel late in the book which struck me as important, but I wasn't engaged enough of that point to give it a lot of thought. ...more

Liked this a lot. I'd read a passage and kind of marvel at the love, empathy and compassion that came across. Then you'd realize you just read a sectiLiked this a lot. I'd read a passage and kind of marvel at the love, empathy and compassion that came across. Then you'd realize you just read a section about his drug abuser mother putting him through the latest hell. Amazing that he can make bring forth the undercurrents of love through really bad situations. ...more

It was a bit counter-intuitive, but the advice seemed good. On the other hand, do I really wan to take life advice from a guy who's claim to fame, menIt was a bit counter-intuitive, but the advice seemed good. On the other hand, do I really wan to take life advice from a guy who's claim to fame, mentioned repeatedly, is "star blogger"?

Anyways, some of the ideas, to see if the stand any test of time:

You're not special. Other people have had it as good or as bad as you are now.

That not giving a fuck - is about not caring about the things that don't matter leaving you free to actually care about those few great things.

-- And that's all I remember. Should have written this before returning the book. ...more

A fun read, but if you're not already familiar with the podcast not sure you'd really get it. Certainly not as good as the podcast, but we don't haveA fun read, but if you're not already familiar with the podcast not sure you'd really get it. Certainly not as good as the podcast, but we don't have that anymore. ...more

Decent book, but just not that intriguing of a heist. Or maybe the authors weren't able to pull it together. The super short chapters didn't seem to lDecent book, but just not that intriguing of a heist. Or maybe the authors weren't able to pull it together. The super short chapters didn't seem to lend themselves to immersion either.

The qualifiers in the title should have been a hint that the book lacked some oomph. ...more

Well, it makes sense. Seems to have plenty of research behind it. But... it also feels like a bit of a magic bullet - workout just 2-3 times a week! IWell, it makes sense. Seems to have plenty of research behind it. But... it also feels like a bit of a magic bullet - workout just 2-3 times a week! In just 20-30 minutes! With just a few simple exercises!

That might be an unfair review - if the program works. Having read it, it ultimately didn't inspire me to try it. That might also be my fault rather than the book. Reading the reviews here, I don't see anyone who's actually tried it and reported on results either.

I'll keep it in the back of my mind and if the latest exercise regime doesn't work out (like many of the others), perhaps I'll come back to it. ...more

Succinct and entertaining book. Squarely aimed at the average dude to give clear and direct advice.

Starts at the beginning - Understanding and DatingSuccinct and entertaining book. Squarely aimed at the average dude to give clear and direct advice.

Starts at the beginning - Understanding and Dating, moves to the middle - Romancing and Sex, and finishes at the end - Living With and Loving For A Lifetime. The checklist at the end of each chapter is an invaluable quick review.

This is one of the rare books I've purchased and I plan to frequently review.

While this book is full of New Age-y bullshit ("Bras have auras", "items in plastic can't breath and will be miserable"), there was enough there thatWhile this book is full of New Age-y bullshit ("Bras have auras", "items in plastic can't breath and will be miserable"), there was enough there that I kept reading. I was really torn though.

On the one hand, this book, in a way, rejects consumerism. It floats the idea that we should place some value on all this stuff. That quality matters over quantity, that we should actually put some thought into whether this stuff is achieving what we want, and that we should maybe enjoy what we have.

On the other hand, holy shit, this book takes consumerism to a place of worship. That, literally, stuff should bring us joy. No - family, friends, and a life well-lived bring joy. This is just stuff. Thinking that how you store your toilet paper is important is fucking nuts.

Read as a simple book on some organizing ideas around the house, it's fine. Thinking that you need to obsess over minutiae and that stuff will bring you joy? That's just pathetic and sad. ...more

Just more great Mary Roach. I'd rank this one behind Mars, on par with Stiff, better than the others. Mary inserts herself into these stories a littleJust more great Mary Roach. I'd rank this one behind Mars, on par with Stiff, better than the others. Mary inserts herself into these stories a little more than the others (OK, not as much as the one chapter in Boink where she & her husband were the subject), and I'm prefectly fine with that. ...more

I nearly quit on the grandiose beginnings of this book ("you have to promise not to use what I'll teach you for evil" and the usual subtext of books lI nearly quit on the grandiose beginnings of this book ("you have to promise not to use what I'll teach you for evil" and the usual subtext of books like this "I'm going to make you rich" are a bit more over than others).

Some of the talk at the beginning of the book about giant sales letters seemed a bit dated, but I realized that the current fad of 3-part videos are really just giant sales letters in a different form.

If you scrub those parts away, I found this to be a pretty solid reference book that I could probably use on my shelf. Having a little trouble writing a headline? Go to the headline chapter which is full of good examples and ideas to get you past a block. Getting ready to run a Facebook ad? Go through the checkpoints on what to do with a PPC ad to make sure you're not missing anything. ...more

1) After telling us how dumb it is to invest in stocks as opposed to mutual funds and indexes - he spends a good chunk of the book talkCouple problems

1) After telling us how dumb it is to invest in stocks as opposed to mutual funds and indexes - he spends a good chunk of the book talking about stock trading. The average person should be maxing out their retirement accounts, in index funds. This part should just get ripped out of the book.

2) He goes from how to invest to "You're Dead". There's a little gap in their called retirement that he skips completely over. Since 99.9% of our investing is geared towards retirement, that's a big hole for a book billing itself as "all you'll ever need". ...more

Decent. The plot was on the weakside and none of the characters grabbed me, but that's not really the point of the book. A hard sci-fi is more about tDecent. The plot was on the weakside and none of the characters grabbed me, but that's not really the point of the book. A hard sci-fi is more about the world the author creates - is it interesting, it is relate-able, is it creative. A suppose he delivers on those notes, but I need more of plot/character....more